Spring 2005

Eagarfhocal

The news that the Government has generously endorsed the new 5-year Community Culture Development Programme of Comhaltas has been greeted with delight and appreciation throughout the Irish cultural movement at home and abroad.

The support by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Minister for Finance Brian Cowen and Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamonn Ó Cuiv has given a major boost to Comhaltas in the second half century of its cultural service to the nation. This, indeed, is most welcome news for the indigenous culture of Ireland. It is official recognition and appreciation of the cultural ‘miracle’ (as described by Minister Eamonn Ó Cuiv), which Comhaltas achieved since 1951.

As President Mary McAleese put it: ‘We owe so much to Comhaltas.’

In addition to expressing the nation’s appreciation to an extraordinary movement the Government was surely expressing its confidence in that movement over the coming decades.

The small Irish road sign outside the house in Hasbrouck Heights directing you to Galway is but a small clue that there is an unofficial “Teach Cheoil” here in the Northern New Jersey home of Mike and Theresa Rafferty. For decades, musicians have received a warm welcome in their home here…

James Patrick Hannigan or Pat as he was known to all his friends - his death on the 14th November 2004 brought sadness and shock to Comhaltas members in Britain and Ireland. His untimely death has left a huge void amongst family and friends and in Comhaltas…

Joseph G Shannon left Ireland when he was 13, but the Emerald Isle’s music never left him.

After he settled in Chicago’s immigrant community in the early 1930s, his folk music talents continued to grow so much so that years later irish musicians visiting the US visited Mr Shannon’s Northwest Side…

The world of Irish Culture mourns the passing of one of its most ardent and effective advocates. There was an outpouring of grief at home and abroad when the news of the sudden death of Donncha Ó Muineacháin on Thursday, 27 January, spread among his many friends and admirers.